The Dangers of Drones

The United States Army has recently set up a contract with a Florida robotics company for a military drone that distinctly resembles a bird. The army has purchased a few dozen of these for a so-called “emergency mission” that they have not revealed, and they plan on purchasing many more. These drones are a very powerful tool for the military, but they may be a little too stealthy for the common population.

The drones that were bought are called Maverics and they are completely unlike any drones used before. They were designed to behave just like a bird, and the resemblance is uncanny. The wings were made very flexible and they flap like a natural bird. They also fly in the same gliding motion as a real bird so at high altitudes, they are indistinguishable from a biological bird. They are also made to be silent above 100 feet, so they are silent in most uses. The only downside to the drone is its short battery life, which is just over an hour. While this allows only short flights, the batteries can be quickly replaced and charged, so surveillance can continue with little delay.

 While this sounds like a great tool for the military, it is also a danger to the population. The drone is almost completely unnoticeable to the naked eye, and it is capable of recording from almost any angle and through any weather. This highly advanced drone is very easy for the military to abuse. If the army is willing to use this in foreign companies, what is going to stop them from using them in the country? And, more importantly, how would we know if they start using them? This level of surveillance seems a little too overboard, and it worries me that so many people allow the government to control such technologies. Big Brother's eyes got a lot bigger with this contract.